Shanling has expanded its streaming hardware range with the SM90, a network streamer and DAC combination that arrives with a dual-chip audio architecture, a built-in linear power supply, and one of the more comprehensive connectivity rosters in its price bracket.
At the core of the SM90 sits a pair of AKM AK4493S DAC chips paired with an OPA1612-based analogue output stage, a configuration that supports high-resolution audio decoding up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512, with dedicated crystal oscillators at 45.1584MHz and 49.152MHz handling jitter reduction across both frequencies.
That audio hardware runs alongside a 64-bit ARM Cortex-A55 processor backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, with an M.2 SSD slot and external USB drive support extending local library capacity well beyond what the onboard storage alone provides, alongside compatibility with network-attached storage for users with larger collections.
The SM90 also runs Android 12 and carries native app support for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, Spotify, and TIDAL. Plus AirPlay 2, DLNA, Qobuz Connect, and TIDAL Connect are all supported for those who prefer to stream directly from a phone or tablet rather than controlling playback from the device itself.
SM90. Image Credit (Shanling)
Connectivity extends across a Gigabit LAN port, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC codec support, while the physical input and output roster covers coaxial, HDMI ARC, optical, RCA, USB DAC, and XLR, giving the SM90 enough flexibility to sit at the centre of both traditional hi-fi and modern living room setups.
A 35W toroidal transformer linear power supply rounds out the internal specification, a component choice that typically reduces noise floor interference compared to switched-mode alternatives and sits in line with Shanling’s broader approach to power delivery across its product range.
The Shanling SM90 launches in May 2026, priced at £999 in the UK, $969 in the US, and €999 across Europe.
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